October 2020 Favorites + Happenings

Face, Fashion, and "Finding Myself"

Well, it’s safe to say October definitely didn’t go as planned… What was supposed to be a month of me finally finding a consistent photographer, meeting girls for big/little dates, and coming home for a quick weekend visit turned into me being sent home due to a Corona outbreak in my sorority house. I’ve been quarantined at home in Maryland for the last two weeks after testing positive for the virus and let me tell you, it’s been a whirlwind of a month.

And while the month definitely didn’t go as I had planned (or hoped) it would, I think this time to slow down and step away from working 24/7 was probably for the best. Thankfully, I had very few symptoms and felt relatively fine throughout the whole thing—time to get back to the grind.

I’ve got an insanely busy month ahead that I’ll tell you all about in a bit… in the meantime, let’s hop right into this month’s favorites.

FASHION 

I’ve got to admit, even before my quarantine I was loving all things comfy. Boohoo joggers have been my absolute jam this last year and I’ve picked up tons of new pairs recently. Whether I’m lounging around the apartment or headed onto campus to get some work done, they are the perfect piece to wear. Paired with a bodysuit and chunky sneakers you look cute yet comfy all at once. Favorite shoes include these neutral sneakers from Pretty Little Thing, my Ugg Fluffita slippers, my knee-high snakeskin boots, and sock booties!

It was relatively nice out the first half of the month but I’m headed back to Ohio later today and the forecast is calling for snow and freezing temps within the next few days… needless to say, that cute pleated skirt won’t be seeing the sun anytime soon, lol.

As for my styled outfits: this month has been full of everything. I’m back on my solid black turtleneck grind—if you followed me this time last year you’d know I wore this baby like crazy! I’ve loved all kinds of fun pants too: flares, leather, and cropped jeans have all been on repeat. And yet I’ve had a few fairytale moments this month as well, shooting the most gorgeous Rachel Allan dresses and wearing this cute nude tulle dress for one of my cowgirl shoots.

It has felt so weird not shooting content these last two weeks. In fact, this is the longest I’ve ever gone without taking photos for the blog since starting this page nearly five years ago. I am so excited to get back to it this weekend. I am also so grateful I was working overtime before getting sick so that I had enough photos to last me through my quarantine!

ACCESSORIES

I tend to stick to the basics come fall time… as you can tell, I’ve been doing just that! My gold hoops, Fossil watch, and black baguette bag have been getting lots of time to shine these days. Although black cat-eye sunglasses and my western belts have had their moments too.

I am so excited to start shooting holiday content so I can start breaking out my glitzy earrings and fun clutches! I just ordered a bunch of claw clips and headbands too and will be giving those 2000s accessories a try throughout November.

BEAUTY 

I’ll admit while being quarantined at home I discovered a few old favorites underneath my bathroom sink… First up is my crimper! I haven’t pulled out my crimper in years and yet while bored one morning I decided to put it to the test. I was shocked at how much I loved it and even more surprised at how many of you guys said I should wear it like that more often. Needless to say, it’s packed in my duffel and going back to Kent with me, lol.

I also tested out some undereye patches, facemasks, and foot peels. I hardly ever do any “self-care” things while at school and it felt good to treat myself while home. I also have experienced the worst dry lips ever this month…  my tried and true pot of Blistex has come to the rescue more times than I’d like to admit.

ENTERTAINMENT

It’s been ages since I’ve made time to watch tv but this month I had to cave and watch the new Netflix original series “Emily in Paris”. As cheesy as it was, it got me excited in a whole new way for studying abroad next fall! Aside from that, I really haven’t watched anything besides a few YouTube videos here and there. I’ve mostly been listening to my “Country Jams” playlist on Spotify while taking notes and linking items for upcoming blog posts.

LOOKING BACK AT OCTOBER 

September wasn’t my best month and I was honestly kind of ashamed to admit that not only to you guys but to myself. I set myself very reasonable goals for October: 16K on Instagram and 32K on YouTube. I reached both of them with plenty of time to spare and yet part of me just doesn’t feel satisfied. I can’t quite put my finger on why—heck, I achieved everything I wanted and more, and yet part of me knows I could have done better.

However, who could have predicted being home for two weeks with all content creation put to a standstill? Certainly not me and as I said earlier, I’m so grateful that I worked ahead and was able to continue blogging during my two weeks home. In some ways, it honestly felt good to take a step back and simply upload daily vlogs instead of constantly meeting some sort of deadline. And yet I’ve missed the constant itch to do more. My body is simply not programmed for settling.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER 

November is slated to be a really big month for me in a lot of ways. Go big or go home baby: this month I’m striving for 35K on YouTube (my real goal is 40K by the end of the year!), 17.5K on Instagram, and 65,000 blog views. If I’m being honest, achieving these goals is going to require me to hustle like never before, especially on top of school.

But it is a challenge I know I can handle and one I’ve already been prepping for during my quarantine. I’ve got tons of gift guides launching in early November, lots of brand deals lined up for cyber week, and dozens of holiday-related blog posts already in the works. I am excited, I am ready, and I am stressed just thinking about the number of packages waiting for me in Ohio, LOL. Ready to kick some booty— let’s do this thing, y’all!!!!!

MY MONTH AT A GLANCE 

The beginning of October was actually very fun. As I said, big/little dates were in full swing before our quarantine and I was meeting so many sweet girls each week. Some I went to breakfast with, others came over for dinner at the mansh, and some just walked around campus with me. It was refreshing to see so many new members; the girls rank this afternoon so I should find out by midnight who my little is. Baskets start next week and the reveal is the first weekend of November! Yay!

I’ve been getting so much closer with girls in the house which I am incredibly grateful for. I was so nervous moving in and yet it’s proved itself to be quite the experience so far. I am grateful for new friendships with girls I would have never met otherwise.

And then of course I was sent home to quarantine. Part of me was going insane being cooped up in my bedroom, meals delivered to my door by my parents, and not seeing the sun in God only knows how long; but, as I said, it hasn’t been all bad either. It has felt so good to be home.

I’m eager to get back to school though. Between exams, big/little reveal, initiation, and an unbelievable amount of blog work, I’ve got a busy few weeks ahead of me. Before I know it, I’ll be back home for Thanksgiving break. Time to tackle November!

With love, McKenz

THIS MONTH ON THE BLOG: 

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